Conveyer lubricant dispenser



u y 1952 v 5. J. MILLER 2,603,534

CONVEYER LUBRICANT DISPENSER Filed July 2'7, 1949 INVENTOR.

wmzf w 17 M Arron/-16 Y5 the machine.

Patented July 15, 1952 Samuel J. Miller, Cincinnati, "Ohio, iassignor to -The Du 'Bois'Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationJulyM, 1949,-Serial No. 107,074

1 lihis invention relates generally to an apparatus for mixing and dispensin lubricating liquid consisting of a mixture of "water and water soluble lubricating material such assoap. The apparatus is intended particularly .for applying a continuous :surface -film of lubricant upon the conveyors of bottling plants to lubricate the sliding parts andknuckles, .and particularly to provide a slippery surface which aids inskidding the bottles to and from the conveyor at :the various treating machinesservedby the-conveyor system.

Conveyors of this type commonly consist of a link chain or' pliable belt, presenting a-flatsurface for advancing the bottles in upright position relative to the treating equipment, for example,

:washing,- sterilizing, filling andcapping machines.

The bottles-are transferred to and from the conveyor at the various stations by suitable transfer mechanism which shift the bottles, usually :in a direction lateral to theadvance-of the conveyor. :Also,in some-systemsthe bottles maybe shifted from acne moving conveyor run to I anif the conveyor-iszrun dry, there -=is a tendency for the bottles to-topple when shifted -orv to crowd one anothe'rfrom theconveyor when arrested-at concentration-stations, by :reasonof adhesion or excessive :friction between the ,rpliable conveyor surface fan'd' the bottles. In the absenceof suitablelubrication, there is also-severe women the parts of the conveyor :and its-moving' track, with resultant increase in the power consumed to'drive charge of lubricant Ifrom :ithese tanks usually is not uniform due toIdecreasingheadtpressureias the liquid level falls, with the result that "either too much-or too littlellubricant is "applied. TEx- This :problem is eliminated by wetting the conveyor surface with lubricant and this has been 'the' practice in the bottling-industry formany years, the lubricant being-either in the form of bar soap, or more recently, liquid soap or othersuit'able lubricant. The :liquid soap may be applied 'byplacing it in drip tanks installed above'the conveyor, the tanks-being replenished periodically or it may be applied byplacin'g soap concentrate-inc. tank and'adding fresh'waterto form-a sclutionof liquid soap. However, the dis- 2 tanks are *filled for c'ontrolledbyfhand, they are sometimes neglected, causing the conveyor'to run dry untilthe situation is remedied.

'It has been a primary object of the-presentinvention to'provide anautomaticpself-mixirm 'dis penser which c'onstitutesa reservoir-arranged to contain a supply of concentrated lubricating-ma- .terial so arranged that a supply of fresh water may be introduced continuously into thereservoir to absorba uniform concentration of lubricant, a m'etered'uniform quantity'of solutionbeingdischarged intermittently upon the "conveyor by means of a si'p'h'on 'tub'e whichdischarges when the solution reaches a'predetermined levelinthe reservoir. The lubricant or soap concentrate' for which the structure is intended is heavier' than water and is supplied inasemi-solid or plastic state so that a mass 'oi itis "stored intheb'o'ttom of the reservoir" with'the' water maintained -above I it for "a period sufficiently long for the water {to absorb a percentage of eoncentratesufiiic'entto perform the lubricating function. "By virtue of this arrangement, a continuousftrickle'of "fresh water may be supplied to 'thereservoiry'causing the solution of water and concentrate to be mixed thoroughly by "gentle agitation caused by the stream oflfresh waterbeing'introduced, the'solution being\dischargedperiodically as the level-rises sufli'ciently to initiate operation-of thedischarge siphon. By this arrangement, the conveyor is lubricate'd automatically '50 long as soapjremains in the reservoir and the water supply is :maintained. Since the area of 's'oap'orlubricant'cohcentrate exposed -to the water remains the; same and'thetimerperiodo'f exposure is constantfthe amount of concentrate absorbed into'solution may be controlled accurately by regulating the supply -of fresh water and the frequencyof 'discharge.

Thesiphontrapconstitutes'atube'bent'tofform an inverted gooseneck which curves upwardly from the end of the tube which communicates with the dispenser, the opposite .end'of the gooseneck including a vertical siphon tube. The -.-gooseneek thus constitutes a trap to restrict .the flowof solution until its level rises above "th'e'top of the gooseneck-sufficiently to fill the trap and flow-downward1ythroughthe vertical sip'liontube which develops the siphoning action. Although of simple construction, this arrangementhas'been ,found to operate in a reliable manner to dis- =cha'rge the-solution between a fixed upper and lower liquid level as determined by the vertical "distance between the intake end of thetube and "-theztop of the 'gooseneck. Thus, the discharge :frequency :is determined by the period ,of time established, the volume of lubricant discharged over a given time period remains constant, and as above noted, the concentration of lubricant in solution is uniform so long as any lubricant remains in the dispenser. The dispensers are in: stalled above the conveyor system, preferably at points which are devoid of bottles, so that the lubricant film is introduced between the conveyor surface and bottles.

It has been determined that by placing a nipple having a restricted orifice upon the discharge end of the siphon tube,.the head pressure'necessary to initiate operation of the siphon tube may be increased. Apparently, this is due to surface tension at the orifice, since it is found that a smaller orifice requires a greater hydrostatic pressure and, hence, a higher liquid level to initiate siphoning thana larger orifice. Thus,

the rise and fallof the liquid level and, consequently, the rateand frequency of discharge depend upon the orificesize; By supplying the user with several types "of nipples he is able to determine experimentally the proper rate of discharge to suit the equipment. The dispenser can 4 centage of concentrate from the upper surface of the mass. Fresh Water is supplied continuously to the reservoir by a supply pipe indicated generally at l5 and solution is decanted intermittently by the siphon unit indicated generally at is which communicates with the interior of the tank through the end wall 13.

A slidable screen I1 is mounted within the tank in spaced relationship with the end wall i 3 so as to provide a chamber [8 delineated by the screen and end wall. The screen prevents entry into the siphon unit of lubricant concentrate and thus keeps the siphon clear and free-flowing.

' Screen ll preferably is iormedrfrom a perforated passing loosely through apertures formed in the be operated Without a nipple for a high rate of penser.

. c Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure l, disclosing the structure in ,greater detail and illustrating diagrammatically the. several liquid levels obtained by applyin various orifice sizes to thesiphontube; Q

, Figure3 is a cross ,sectional'view taken on line j33, Figure '2, and partially broken away to 7 illustrate further details of construction.

' Figured is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the unit installed in operating po'si- 'tion with respect to a conveyor run,

Figure 5 is a sectional View of 'a 'nipplehaving asmaller orifice and representing one of several nipples which maybe installed interchangeably to regulate the operating characteristics of the dispenserh In its preferred embodiment as illustrated, the dispenser consists of an open" tank or reservoir llliwhich is preferably rectangular irrshape, consisting of a'bottom H, side walls I2'-l-2 and end wallslS-IS; The tank is formed from sheet metal and is sufiiciently deep to contain in its lower portion a substantial mass of water soluble lubricant'concentrate or soap as indicated diagrammatically at l4 in Figures 2 and 3. This material is supplied preferably as a plastic or semi-rigid gel, or in some casesit may'befin pulverized form; either event, ithe material forms a stratumreposing in the bottom-bf the tank'with a liquid level maintained above it'in temporary storage' to absorb-"into solution 'a per top wall. The lower ends of the limbs include angular extensions 24 as shownin Figure 3, which serveas stops to engage the top Wall when the handle is lifted. The limbs normally depend downwardly through the top wall, andthe screen may be withdrawn like a drawer by grasping the handle and pulling it "upwardly as shown in broken lines in Figure 2. Withdrawal of the shown) in the supply line so that the meterin valve may be adjusted-to the requirements of the individual station and left undisturbed when the dispenser is shut down. As shown, the water is directed'to the tank by a'downwardly extended nozzle26'so that the'water trickles'or drips into the tank fromabove.- This arrangementis .preferred for most installations but ifit is desired to increase the rate of dilution, the nozzle 23 may be "extended down-wardlytowardthe bottom of 'the tank as at Z'L to causef the incoming water to pass upwardly through the concentrator 1 Thesiphonunit lt -is -in the form of-atube having an inverted gooseneck with: its intake end'23-communicating with the tank behind the screen H, the intake end passing'th'rough'. an

"end 'wallis of the tank and secured by .a pair of= nutsfi29-29 screwthreaded upori the end: of a the tubeand in clamping engagement against 'the'opp'osite sides of the wall. The connection may be made water tight by applying solderor brazing material to the crevices surrounding the tube and nuts; The intake end of thetubeextends horizontally for a' shor'tdistance: then curves upwardly providing the'gooseneckeorrtrap section 30, which blends intoi the, vertical .tube section 3| to "provide the: siphoningraction.

- Upon the lower end of thevertical tube there is screwthreaded an 3 interchangeable, nipple, .32

shaving a7..restrictedc-adischarge. aperture 7;;33.

* nipples ihavingdifierentjsized aperturesto vary Nipple =32 .may be removed .to increase the rate of dischar e or 'it':mayj 'hei e a y: other thera'teof discharg as hereinafter described.

' The lubr cator unit v i-veyor ru r 314 at 'the point orv points 'Vr'equiring s a ed a is es-$ 1 'lubricationwith the nipple F32 or discharge end of the tube in ajposition'to project the lubricant solution by gravity upon the conveyor run. '-In many cases, the unit can simply be placed on the conveyor frame, while in others it may be necessary to mount it upon abracket 35- (-Fig- 111364;), secured'toa wall, post orothersupport. The lubricating unit is 'put in operation by placing in 'it a supply of concentrate or soap as indicated in Figures'Z and 3, so-that'the tank is approximately half full. The water supply then'is adjusted to-provide the necessary rate "of fresh water supply as determinedby'the par- 'ticular installation. During operation, the liquid stored above the concentrate is constantly dilutedby fresh water but at the same'time it absorbs concentrate at approximately the same c'entrate into solution. As the solution 1 level rises, it enters the intake'end 28 of the'siphon unit and eventually fills and overflows the trap 30 and runs down the vertical siphon tube 3L.

Since the tube extends idownwardlybelow the solution level, the solution flowing down the tube initiates a siphoning action which decants the solution at a rate greater than the supply of fresh water. The decanting or siphoning action continues until the solution level drops approximately to the intake end of the siphon unit,

causing air to enter the tube to terminate the siphoning action. The unit then remains inactive until the liquid level again rises sufficiently to overflow the trap to initiate the nextdischarge.

The lubricating concentrate or soap is such that it retains its identity in the presence of water, the concentrate being absorbed into solution only from'the upper exposed surface of f the concentrate, causing progressive lowering of the stratum'level..Thus, as the dispenser operates, the area exposed to the water remains constant so long'as the concentrate supply lasts and they resulting solution of ,-concentrate and water 'is uniform from one refill of concentrate to the next. 'The frequency of discharge is regulated' by the metering valve25 and. orifice size,

andlh'aving oncebeen established, the unit will continue to operate automatically as long as concentrate is kept in it and the fresh water supply'maintained.

As indicated in Figure 2, the solution in the tank has a basic level indicated at A, which corresponds to the outlet end of the siphon tube. Abovethe basic or lower level A there is indicated a second level B,.which indicates the fluetuating siphoning level when the dispenser is operated without the restricting nipple 32. This represents the condition of maximum discharge since the liquid will be siphoned off rapidly when it reaches its siphoning level. Thus, by adjusting the metering valve to increase properly the rate of fresh water supply, the dispenser is operated at maximum rate of discharge and'at maximum frequency.

When a restricting nipple is placed upon the restricts the flow-of solution after siphoning '-starts, with the resul t that both the frequency andrate of discharge "are decreased. When a nozzle having a still smaller orifice, asindicated atZ36 "in Figure 5, A is installed, the :surface *ten- -sion' is further increas'ed and the liquid'level "rises proportionately as' indicated .at D, "providing a efurther decrease: in discharge frequency and rate.

'Theiillustration isfintended'to repres'entiseveral typica'l operatingconditions but it will be appar- "ent that the structure isnot limited to "the-adjustm'ent rangeshown. However, under practical operating conditions,fthe three variations in liquid '-level, co'mbined with the proper regulation ofthe metering valve, provides .a range .of operation which is suflicient to adapt "the 'dispenser to" most conveyor installations.

It'is to be observed that in each case it is necessary'to adjust'the metering valve to supply fresh water at a rate less than-the siphoning rate to :provide intermittent operation.

The detachable nipples thus provide :major;,or basic range adjustments and the metering 'valve provides a minor adjustment within the defined rangesto permit accurate regulation-of the discharge-rate. The structure providesa highlyzefii- -cientand -re1iable unit'which mixesand dispenses automatically a uniform concentrationofsolution atconstant volume without'frequent service. Op-

eration can be maintained almost indefinitely rnerely by replenishing :a't convenient 'intervals,

the supply of concentrateinthe'tank. This'lubri cation is stabilized and the conveyor system protected against wear constantly. and rendered more efiicient-inoperation.

' Having described my invention, I claim:

'1. A dispenser for mixing a continuous supply of water with a water soluble lubricant compound jand discharging periodicallya solution of water and lubricant-compound comprising-a tank havinga suflicient'depth to maintain a substantial'mass of lubricant 'compoundin its 'lowerportion with a liquid level of substantial depth in temporary storage in contact with and abovethe lubricating compound; a water supply line including a valve'mounted above the tank for supplying constantly a metered quantity of Water to the tank, a siphon .tube including a'horizontal portion with an inlet end passing through'tlie Wall of the tank in a plane above the level of the lubricant compound, the siphon tube including an inverted gooseneck rising substantially above the inlet end of the tube, the inverted gooseneck including a vertically depending tube section externally of the tank and extending downwardly substantially to the bottom of the tank, the elevation of the inlet end of the tube above the level of the lubricant compound delineating a permanent liquid level which is maintained above the lubricant compound, the inverted gooseneck rising above the inlet end of the tube to an elevation which delineates a liquid level in temporary storage above the permanent liquid level, the rate of discharge of the siphon tube being greater than the rate of fresh water supplied constantly to the tank by said valve to cause the siphon tube periodically to siphon ,oif the liquid intemporary storage. 1' v 2. A lubricant dispenser for mixing-a continuous supply of water with a water soluble lubricant compound and dispensing a solution ofwaterand lubricating compound, comprising ,a reservoir adapted, to contain a mass of. lubricatingfcompound in its lower portion and a quantity of water in storage above the compound, a, siphon tube having an end communicating with the upper portion of the tank at a point spaced upwardly from said lubricating compound, said siphon being adapted to intermittently decant the upper portion of the water maintained in storage in the V reservoir and including a horizontal section openportion, said depending portion of the tube in- .cluding a restricted orifice presenting an impedance to the flow of water therethrough, said restricted orifice being efiective to prevent the discharge of liquid until the liquid level rises to the top of the curved portion of said siphon tube.

3. A lubricant dispenser for mixing a continuous supply of water with a water soluble lubricant compound and dispensing a solution of water and lubricating compound, comprising a reservoir adapted to contain a mass of lubricating compound in its lower portion and a quantity of .water in storage above the compound, a water supply lineincluding avalve mounted above the tank for constantly supplying a metered quantity of water to the tank, a siphon tube having an end communicating with the upper portion of the tank at a point spaced upwardly-from said lubricating compound, said siphon being, adapted to intermittently decant the upper portion of the water maintained in storage in the reservoir and including a horizontal section opening into the interior 'of thetank, an upwardly curved portion and a vertical portion depending downwardly from the curved portion to provide a siphon action, the curved portion of the tube being" 1disposed at a jlevel'higlier than the horizontalportion whereby the curved portion is effectiveto prevent liquidflow through the tube and thereby to maintain liquid within the tank until the liquid level rises above the curved portion, whereupon the liquid fiows through the curved, portion downwardly into'the depending portion, said depending portion of the tube including 'a retricted orifice presenting an impedance to the flow of water therethrough, said restricted orifice being efiective to prevent the discharge of liquid until the liquid level rises to a level appreciably above the curved portion of said siphon tube.

4. A dispenser for mixing a continuous supply of water with a water soluble lubricant compound and discharging periodically a solution of water and lubricant compound comprising, a tank having a suificient depth to maintain a substantial mass of lubricant compound in its lower portion witha liquid-level of substantial depth in temporary storage'in contact with and above the lubricating compound, a water supply line including a valve mounted above the tank for constantly supplying a metered quantity of Water to the tank, a siphon tube including a horizontal inlet end of the tube to delineate a normal discharge level, the gooseneck including a vertically depending tube section externally of the tank and extending downwardly substantially to the level of the bottom of the tank, the lower end of said tube being provided with a restricted orifice, said orifice providing a predetermined surface tension for impeding the discharge of liquid from the vertical tube and thereby causing a column of liquid to accumulate above said orifice and to raise the liquid'in the tank to a level above the normal discharge level, said orificebeing efiective When said liquid level exceeds said discharge level to permit liquid flow .ata rate greater than the water supply through saidmetering valve.

SAMUEL .1. MILLER.

.file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 417,576 Muller Dec. 1'7, 1889 974,336 Alt Nov. 1, 1910 1,030,378 Beckwith June 25, 1912 1,479,661 Gates Jan. 1, 1924 1,772,903 Lawson 'Aug. 12, 1930 1,875,411 Beebe Sept; 6, 1932 2,003,153 Lichtenberg May 28, 1935 2,006,993 'Guth -July 2,1935 2,034,796 'Chandler Mar. 24, 1936 2,273,400 De Pont Feb. '12, 1942 2,287,339 Baleunas June 23,1 1942 2,293,922 Serinis Aug. 25, 1942 2,367,354 Kanter i Jan.'16,'1945 2,391,177 Malsbary Dec. '18, 1945 2,455,523

Rodack Dec. 7, 1948 

